John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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277. To ask the Minister for Health if funding is in place to roll out further primary medical care centres in County Kilkenny; the list of locations being considered throughout the country; and if he has a priority list in respect of the centres. [8141/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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While the Government's objective is to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure in County Kilkenny is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered/provided/available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation.

There will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. As with all capital projects, the further development of the primary care infrastructure, including facilities in County Kilkenny, must be prioritised and considered within the context of the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.

As the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you with the national priority list of locations for primary care centres. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.